DeCure's autonomous Neuro AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for febrile seizures, familial, 2 — screening already-approved drugs against its 1-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleFebrile seizures, familial, 2 maps to a 1-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for febrile seizures, familial, 2 is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide gated potassium and sodium channel 2 (HCN2) — HCN2 is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet cmpdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 3U10 · 2.3 Å · ligand ADENOSINE-3',5'-CYCLIC-MONOPHOSPHATE (CMP). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Febrile seizures affect 2–5% of young children in Western countries, with an incidence of up to one in ten children overall. They are defined as seizures occurring between three months and five years of age with a temperature of 38°C or higher, and are classified as simple or complex. The condition is generally considered benign, with rare long-term sequelae, but emerging febrile seizure syndromes may behave differently. The risk of recurrence in a further febrile illness averages 30%, and the risk of developing epilepsy averages 6%, though both vary with individual risk factors.
Eight gene loci have been linked to autosomal dominant familial febrile seizures, and twelve genes have been associated with familial epilepsy syndromes that can begin with febrile seizures. The mutations and protein products are known for only some of these twenty genes. Genetic predisposition is thought to be a major contributor, and the complex processes of thermoregulation and the febrile response are also relevant. A systems biology approach has been called for to investigate genome-proteome-metabolome interactions in susceptibility.
Immediate treatment of a febrile convulsion is intravenous or rectal diazepam. Febrile status epilepticus requires intravenous phenobarbital and possibly other medications. Long-term antiepileptic drugs are not recommended for most patients, though exceptions may be considered individually in those with complex febrile seizures and multiple risk factors for later epilepsy. The definition, etiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and long-term prognosis of febrile seizures remain debated, and even the definition itself is still under discussion.
What is still missing is a clear understanding of the specific genetic and environmental interactions that drive susceptibility, particularly for recurrent and complex febrile seizures. No large-scale population studies have integrated current clinical, experimental, infectious, and molecular genetic knowledge. The role of specific viral triggers and vaccine-related factors is acknowledged but not mechanistically resolved. Adequately funded prospective cohort studies with detailed genetic and environmental phenotyping, and trials that stratify patients by risk factors and seizure type, are needed before any targeted preventive or disease-modifying approach can be tested.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Frontiers in Pediatrics · 2022 · 120 citations · open access
A Review of Febrile Seizures: Recent Advances in Understanding of Febrile Seizure Pathophysiology and Commonly Implicated Viral Triggers
AbstractFebrile seizures are one of the commonest presentations in young children, with a 2-5% incidence in Western countries. Though they are generally benign, with rare long-term sequelae, there is much to be learned about their pathophysiology and risk factors. Febrile seizures are propagated by a variety of genetic and environmental factors, including viruses and vaccines. These factors must be taken into consideration by a clinician aiming to assess, diagnose and treat a child presenting with fevers and seizures, as well as to explain the sequelae of the febrile seizures to the concerned parents of the child. Our article provides an overview of this common childhood condition, outlining both the underlying mechanisms and the appropriate clinical approach to a child presenting with febrile seizures.
Neurology Research International · 2015 · 39 citations · open access
Febrile Seizures and Febrile Seizure Syndromes: An Updated Overview of Old and Current Knowledge
AbstractFebrile seizures are the most common paroxysmal episode during childhood, affecting up to one in 10 children. They are a major cause of emergency facility visits and a source of family distress and anxiety. Their etiology and pathophysiological pathways are being understood better over time; however, there is still more to learn. Genetic predisposition is thought to be a major contributor. Febrile seizures have been historically classified as benign; however, many emerging febrile seizure syndromes behave differently. The way in which human knowledge has evolved over the years in regard to febrile seizures has not been dealt with in depth in the current literature, up to our current knowledge. This review serves as a documentary of how scientists have explored febrile seizures, elaborating on the journey of knowledge as far as etiology, clinical features, approach, and treatment strategies are concerned. Although this review cannot cover all clinical aspects related to febrile seizures at the textbook level, we believe it can function as a quick summary of the past and current sources of knowledge for all varieties of febrile seizure types and syndromes.
Febrile seizures. From molecular biology to clinical practice
AbstractFebrile seizures occur between the age of 3 months and 5 years with a temperature of 38 degrees C or higher, and are either simple or complex. Eight gene loci have been identified to be associated with certain cases of autosomal dominant familial febrile seizures, and 12 genes have been associated with some of the familial epilepsy syndromes that can start with febrile seizures. The mutations and the protein products are known for only some of these 20 genes. The risk of recurrence of convulsions in a further febrile illness is on average 30%, and of developing epilepsy is on average 6%, but both vary depending on the presence and number of risk factors in any given patient. The immediate treatment of a febrile convulsion is intravenous or rectal diazepam, but febrile status epilepticus requires intravenous Phenobarbital and possibly other medications. Long-term antiepileptic drugs are not recommended in most patients with febrile seizures. However, exceptions should be considered on an individual basis in patients with complex febrile seizures with multiple risk factors for development of later epilepsy.
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques · 2009 · 6 citations · open access
Susceptibility to Febrile Seizures: More Than Just a Faulty Thermostat!
AbstractFebrile seizures, always a hot topic, continue to fire up the interest of a wide spectrum of clinical and basic neuroscientists. Several clinical investigators, amongst them the Halifax group (spearheaded by the Camfields to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude for their contributions in this field), have provided us with a sound foundation for clinical management. We now need to explore febrile seizures in new ways to clarify factors and identify mechanisms that contribute to the intriguing age-dependent susceptibility. The complex processes involved in thermoregulation and the febrile response are important pieces of the puzzle. The contributory factors are likely different for isolated simple febrile, recurrent febrile and complex febrile seizures. A 'systems biology approach' is needed to investigate the intricate genome-proteome-metabolome interaction in determining susceptibility. Population studies that incorporate current clinical, experimental, infectious and molecular genetic knowledge in their concept and design will help to 'conquer' the final frontiers of febrile seizures. In 2006, Engel suggested that febrile seizures could 'encompass many different entities', an increasingly plausible opinion. A higher profile for febrile seizures and related syndromes in the ILAE classification scheme will further catalyze progress in the field. The resultant knowledge can only improve management.
International journal of pediatrics · 2016 · 0 citations
Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of febrile seizures
AbstractFebrile seizures(FS)is a common convulsive disorder in infants and young children.It is clinically classified into simple febrile seizures(SFS)and complex febrile seizures(CFS). Although intensively investigated, it remains controversial on the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment, long-term prognosis of FS, even the definition itself is still under debate.This paper briefly reviews recent advances on the underlying mechanisms of FS, including involvement of genetic factors, role of ion channels, and immunologic and neurotransmitter dysregulation.We also gathered some new insights on the treatment and prevention of FS, aiming to improve our understanding of FS.
Key words:
Febrile seizures; Pathogenesis; Treatment; Prevention
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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